Methods and apparatus for attachment adapter for a projectile

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for mounting a secondary system on a projectile according to various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with a collar. The collar is adapted to at least partially receive a fuze assembly or other projectile structure within the collar. The collar may be adapted to attach to a cover.

1. A fuze assembly of a projectile, comprising:
 a fuze; and 
 a mounting adapter that includes a collar; 
 wherein the fuze is partially disposed within the collar; 
 wherein the collar is mechanically coupled to a notch in the fuze; and 
 wherein the collar comprises two clamshell halves. 
 
     
     
       2. A fuze assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the collar further comprises a keyway configured to couple to the collar to the fuze assembly. 
     
     
       3. A fuze assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the collar is removably attachable to the fuze assembly. 
     
     
       4. A fuze assembly according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the mounting adapter further includes a surface adapter; 
 wherein the surface adapter is configured to threadably attach to and substantially cover the collar; and 
 wherein the surface adapter is configured to receive a secondary system. 
 
     
     
       5. A fuze assembly according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein the surface adapter is removably attached to at least one of the collar, the fuze assembly, and the projectile; and 
 wherein the collar is configured to prevent longitudinal and rotational movement of the surface adapter. 
 
     
     
       6. A fuze assembly according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the mounting adapter further includes a surface adapter of the mounting adapter that is mechanically coupled to the collar; 
 wherein the surface adapter comprises a one piece skin that mechanically fastens to the collar; and 
 wherein the collar is configured to prevent longitudinal and rotational movement of the surface adapter. 
 
     
     
       7. A fuze assembly according to  claim 1 ,
 in combination with other parts of the projectile; 
 wherein the mounting adapter further includes a surface adapter; and 
 wherein an exterior surface of the surface adapter has a radius substantially equal to the radius of the projectile. 
 
     
     
       8. A fuze assembly according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the mounting adapter further includes a surface adapter; and 
 wherein the fuze assembly further comprises an o-ring configured to seal a junction between the surface adapter and the projectile. 
 
     
     
       9. A projectile comprising:
 a warhead; 
 a fuze mechanically coupled to the warhead; 
 a secondary system forward of the warhead and the fuze; and 
 a mounting assembly mechanically coupling the secondary system to the fuze; 
 wherein the mounting assembly includes a collar and a surface adapter; 
 wherein the collar includes at least one notch-engaging radially-inward protrusion that engages at least one notch in the fuze; and 
 wherein the surface adapter is mechanically coupled to the collar. 
 
     
     
       10. A projectile according to  claim 9 ,
 wherein the collar comprises two clamshell halves; 
 wherein the surface adapter covers the collar, preventing the at least one notch-engaging radially-inward protrusion from disengaging the at least one notch in the fuze. 
 
     
     
       11. A projectile according to  claim 9 , wherein the surface adapter has external threads that engage corresponding threads on the secondary system. 
     
     
       12. A projectile according to  claim 9 , wherein the secondary system is a guidance kit for guiding the projectile.